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Minutes - 2017 September 2017 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes September 19, 2017, 7:00 PM Old Chicago, 1656 S. Alma School, Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Michael Humphrey] We have had 68 hikes so far this year, with 19 leaders. New hike leaders are always welcome. Treasurer [Michael Humphrey, for Monika Hahues] As of September 19, the club has 157 paid members and a bank balance of $5327.37. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] Someone sent me a threatening ransomware email: pay up now with Bitcoin or you’ll never get your encrypted files back. But none of the files on my Apple Macintosh computer had been encrypted, as far as I could tell. Anyway I copied all the files to an external hard disk and then made a SuperDuper! bootable backup of my startup disk. Both external disks are now disconnected from my computer. The English in the email was awful. Evidently it came from a foreign country. To protect yourself from ransomware: Make a backup copy of all your files on an external disk. Do it now. Then disconnect the external disk from your computer. An external backup disk is a good idea anyway, cheap insurance. Never click on a link or open an email attachment from someone you don’t know. I do send links, but I never forward email attachments. I’ve gotten emails having the name of a club member, but with a different email address. If the message doesn’t look right, forward it to the person whose name is on it, at their email address you know, with an explanation. Their email account may have been hacked. Report the ransomware incident. Statistician [Jim Buyens] [Jim is away on the Zion camping trip]. Previous Hikes July 22 Woodchute Mountain Jerome Jim Buyens July 29 Johnson Canyon RR Williams Jim Buyens Aug. 5 Rim Vista Loop Mogollon Rim Ted Tenny Aug. 5 Fat Man’s Loop Flagstaff Jim Buyens Aug. 11 AZT passage 33 Flagstaff Michael Humphrey Aug. 12 Mt. Humphreys Flagstaff Michael Humphrey Aug. 12 Butterfly Trail Tucson Lance Ware Aug. 19 Sycamore Rim Williams Monika Hahues Aug. 19-26 Eclipse 2017 Wyoming Michael Humphrey Aug. 26 AZT passage 34 Flagstaff Dave French Sept. 2 Slate Mountain Flagstaff Jim Buyens Sept. 2 Horton Creek Loop Mogollon Rim Tamar Gottfried Sept. 4 Peak 3004 Loop Goldfields Tamar Gottfried Sept. 9 Hackberry Loop Superstitions Tamar Gottfried Sept. 14-20 Zion National Park Utah Chuck Parsons Sept. 15-17 White Mountain weekend Greer Tamar Gottfried Sept. 16 Pine Canyon Mogollon Rim Michael Humphrey Sept. 16 Dry Lake Hills Overlook Flagstaff Ted Tenny Upcoming Hikes Sept. 23 Little Elden Loop Flagstaff Dave French Oct. 1 Rogers Canyon Superstitions Tamar Gottfried Oct. 7 Peak 5026 Superior Bill Zimmermann Oct. 14 Girdner Trail Sedona Chuck Parsons Oct. 21 Zimmerman Point Sierra Ancha Bill Zimmermann Oct. 28 Hangover Trail Sedona Dave French Nov. 4 Sunset Day Hike Sedona Mark Purcell Nov. 11 Wishbone Junction Loop Goldfields Ted Tenny Nov. 11 Fish Creek Canyon Superstitions Michael Humphrey Nov. 18 David Miller Loop Sedona Chuck Parsons Announcement: Michael Humphrey     You can buy clothing with the club logo, from Big Stitch Embroidery in Tempe. Details are on the about page. Guest Speaker: Darrell Evans Subject: A beginner Backpacker’s View of Aravaipa     Darrell presented a series of pictures from his trip to Aravaipa Canyon, covering such diverse topics as our intrepid crew, campgrounds, walking in the creek, Indian ruins, and the best time of year to go there. His style was entertaining and informative. Readers can learn more from Michael’s trip report. Next Meeting Tuesday, November 21, 2017, 7:00 PM.  Elections. Executive Committee, September 12, 2017 attendees: Michael Humphrey, Bill Zimmermann, Monika Hahues, Jim Buyens, Ted Tenny Officer Candidates for 2018 Monika and Ted are each eligible to run again, but we need candidates for President and Vice President. Our candidates for President and Vice President have agreed to run. Meeting Place Starbucks where we used to meet in Fountain Hills is closed. They have relocated inside Target but don’t open until 8:00 AM. We’ll meet at the same place. AI [Ted] → update the hike descriptions. Wearing the Club Logo Anyone can order clothing with the club logo. AI [all] → Wear your clothing with the club logo to the meeting on September 19. AI [Michael] → Make the announcement at that meeting. Awards hike and potluck Should have ramadas amd electricity. AI [Bill] → Find a suitable location, and a Saturday after January 16. Guest speaker for January 16 Two possibilities were mentioned. AI [Bill, then Ted] → Contact potential speakers. Hike Leaders We’ve had three new leaders in 2017, and should encourage and train new hike leaders, including how to handle emergency situations. Several names were mentioned. Statistics & Awards Jim’s page is on the web, linked from the Membership page. Deputy leaders will not be included in the statistics. az-hikers.org Ted isn’t using this domain. Anything different is tried first on his own web site, so if something goes wrong it won’t affect the club. But his successor might want to use it. AI [Ted] → keep the az-hikers.org domain name. July 2017 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes July 18, 2017, 7:00 PM Old Chicago, 1656 S. Alma School, Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Michael Humphrey] We have elections coming up at the November meeting. If you are thinking of running for office or know someone who would make a good officer, tell me. Treasurer [Michael Humphrey for Monika Hahues] As of July 18, the club has 150 paid members and a bank balance of about $4000. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] All trip reports are welcome! Special thanks to those who have reported on outings the club did for the first time, in the first half of 2017: Eileen Root Holbert-Lomitas Loop January 7 Debbie Rowray Thompson Peak January 22 Eileen Root Picketpost Perimeter January 28 Gabe McConnell Brown’s Ranch Loop February 4 Quy Nguyen Sunrise-Western Loop February 4 Chip Wells Dome Mountain February 11 Chuck Parsons GMHSM State Park February 25 Michelle Jelsma Big Jim February 26 Mark Purcell Hog Wild! March 11 Michael Humphrey Superstition Ridgeline March 25 Chuck Parsons Dogie Trail April 1 Dave French Buenos Aires NWR April 1-2 Dave French Wolf Creek Waterfalls April 8 Mark Jelsma Walkin’ Jim Trail April 22 Tamar Gottfried Salt River Rafting April 23 Dave French Prescott Circle Trail May 20 Bill Zimmermann Timber Camp Mountain May 20 Bill Zimmermann Beaver Canyon Loop June 10 Statistician [Jim Buyens] Michael, Debbie, Tom, and Darrell are the top hikers in terms of miles hiked with the club. The top hike leaders are Michael Humphrey, Dave French, and Jim Buyens. The club has hiked 6,846 miles so far in 2017. Previous Hikes May 20 Circle Trail Prescott Dave French May 20 Timber Camp Mountain Globe Bill Zimmermann May 26-29 Oak Creek Camping Sedona Lin Chao Yen May 27 Walnut Meadows Flagstaff Ted Tenny June 3-6 Backpacking Aravaipa Canyon Michael Humphrey June 4 Kachina Trail Flagstaff Jim Buyens June 10 Beaver Canyon Loop Mogollon Rim Bill Zimmermann June 10 Mineral Belt Flagstaff Jim Buyens June 17 Schultz Creek Loop Flagstaff Gabe McConnell June 24 O'Leary Peak Flagstaff Jim Buyens July 1 Bell Trail & V-Bar-V Sedona area Michael Humphrey July 8 Sandy's Canyon Flagstaff Jim Buyens July 15 AZT 31 32 Flagstaff Dave French Upcoming Hikes July 22 Woodchute Mountain Jerome Jim Buyens July 29 <<open>>     Aug. 5 Rim Vista Loop Mogollon Rim Ted Tenny Aug. 12 Mt. Humphreys Flagstaff Michael Humphrey Aug. 19 Sycamore Rim Williams Jim Buyens Aug. 19-26 Eclipse 2017 Wyoming Michael Humphrey Aug. 26 AZT passage 34 Flagstaff Dave French Sept. 2 <<open>>     Sept. 9 <<open>>     Sept. 14-20 Zion National Park Utah Chuck Parsons Sept. 16 <<open>>     Guest Speaker: Leonard J Marcisz subject: A Dozen Ways to Die in the Desert     Leonard talked about some risks of being in the desert, including bark scorpions, mountain lions, Gila monsters, rattlesnakes, heat, bees, flash floods, lynching, firearms accidents, and saguaros with arms. As a hiker you are solely responsible for understanding the risks and taking adequate safety precautions. Next Meeting Tuesday, September 19, 2017, 7:00 PM. Executive Committee, June 27, 2017 attendees: Michael Humphrey, Bill Zimmermann, Jim Buyens, Monika Hahues, Ted Tenny, Mohammed Almarimi guest speakers for September 19 and November 21 Darrell and Ann Evans will be our guest speakers for September 19. Two possibilities were considered for November 21. AI [Jim] → Contact the first candidate for our November 21 speaker. officer candidates for 2018: President, Vice President Several names were suggested. For Treasurer, Monika will run again. For Secretary, Ted will run again. AI [Michael] → contact the first candidate for President. late membership renewals Late renewals will be non-members until they pay dues again. They will remain on the mailing list if they reply to Ted’s annual email. AI [Ted] → Send the annual email to non-members on our mailing list. awards, 2018 Should be in the east or south valley, a place that has electrical outlets. AI [Bill] → Find a suitable location. May 2017 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes May 16, 2017, 7:00 PM Old Chicago, 1656 S. Alma School, Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Michael Humphrey] The club has done a record number of hikes, plus camp-outs and a raft trip through May of 2017. Treasurer [Michael Humphrey, for Monika Hahues] As of May 16, the club has 150 paid members and a bank balance of $5345.15. Our biggest bill, insurance, is coming. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] Hike leaders should always include driving directions in a hike description. But you may want them commented out until after the hike, so that people won’t be driving directly to the trailhead to join you. Limited parking at the trailhead can make this necessary. Then the driving directions can be un-commented after the hike. Statistician [Jim Buyens] The club has done 41 hikes totaling 4335 miles, compared to 3400 at this time last year. Six hikes have not yet been reported to the Statistician. The leading hikers so far are Tom S., Debbie R., Michael H., and Mark J. We car-pooled over 10,000 miles in the first five months. Previous Hikes Mar. 25 Bulldog Canyon Loop Goldfields Ted Tenny Mar. 25 Spur Cross Loop Cave Creek Gabrielle McConnell Mar. 25 Superstition Ridgeline Superstitions Michael Humphrey Apr. 1 Dogie Trail Sedona Chuck Parsons Apr. 1-2 Buenos/Browns Canyon Tucson Dave French Apr. 8 Wolf Creek Waterfalls Prescott Dave French Apr. 8 Oak Spring Trail Pine Monika Hahues Apr. 15 Barnhardt Canyon Mazatzals Tamar Gottfried Apr. 22 Walkin’ Jim Trail Lake Pleasant Mark Jelsma Apr. 22 Long Canyon Sedona Ted Tenny Apr. 23 Rafting Salt River Canyon Tamar Gottfried Apr. 27 Mt. Ord Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann Apr. 29 Goldwater Lake Trail Prescott Jim Buyens May 6 Highline-Drew Payson Michael Humphrey May 13 Groom Creek Loop Prescott Jim Buyens Upcoming Hikes May 20 Prescott Circle Trail Prescott Dave French May 20 Timber Camp Mountain Salt River Canyon Bill Zimmermann May 26-29 Oak Creek Camping Sedona Lin Chao Yen May 27 Walnut Meadows Flagstaff Ted Tenny June 3-6 Backpacking Aravaipa Canyon Michael Humphrey June 10 << open >>     June 17 Schultz Creek Loop Flagstaff Gabrielle McConnell June 24 << open >>     July 1 Bell Trail, V-Bar-V Sedona area Michael Humphrey July 8 << open >>     July 15 << open >>     Guest Speaker: Dale and Marilyn Childs subject: Our Trip to Cuba     They spent seven days and nights touring rural towns on the south coast, the beach resort of Varadero on the north coast, and experiencing the sights and sounds of Havana. Along the way they met Cuban citizens and learned about their culture, their love of music and the arts, and life in Cuba after the Revolution of the early 1960s. Pictures included 1950s American cars, re-powered and re-painted, many serving as taxicabs. Next Meeting Tuesday, July 18, 2017, 7:00 PM March 2017 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes March 21, 2017, 7:00 PM Old Chicago, 1656 S. Alma School, Mesa Welcome, Introductions Reports President [Michael Humphrey] •  The club has done 22 hikes in the first quarter of 2017. • There are 300 whistles with the club logo left. Treasurer [Monika Hahues] As of March 21 the club has 140 paid members; however, expired memberships haven’t been reviewed yet. The bank balance as of 3/21/17 is $4,781.89. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] •  When a hike is full, the announcement on the web says so and doesn’t have a white background. • Weekly announcements are shorter. They refer to the hike description on the web. Statistician [Michael Humphrey, for Jim Buyens] So far in 2017, the five top hikers are Mark Jelsma, Michelle Jelsma, Tom Simonick, Michael Humphrey, and Quy Nguyen. However, the results from seven hikes haven’t been reported yet. Previous Hikes    Jan. 21 AZHC Awards Potluck North Mtn. Park Michael Humphrey Jan. 22 Thompson Peak McDowells Michael Humphrey Jan. 28 Picketpost Perimeter Superior Eileen Root Jan. 28 Dixie Mountain Phoenix Gabrielle McConnell Feb. 4 Browns Ranch Loop McDowells Gabrielle McConnell Feb. 4 Sunrise-Western Loop Scottsdale Quy Nguyen Feb. 4 Alta-Bajada Loop South Mountain Dave French Feb. 11 Dome Mountain Goldfields Chip Wells Feb. 11 Wasson Peak Tucson Tamar Gottfried Feb. 25 GMHSM State Park Yarnell Chuck Parsons Feb. 26 Big Jim Trail Hells Canyon Michelle Jelsma Mar. 3-7 Joshua Tree Car Camping California John Richa Mar. 4 San Tan Mountain Queen Creek Dave French Mar. 9 Flatiron Superstitions Michael Humphrey Mar. 11 Hog Wild! Sedona Mark Purcell Mar. 11 Swing-Set Mine Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann Mar. 11 Ocotillo Trail Phoenix Gabrielle McConnell Mar. 18 Upper Ruins Tonto Nat. Mon. Quy Nguyen Upcoming Hikes Mar. 25 Bulldog Canyon Loop Goldfields Ted Tenny Mar. 25 Spur Cross Loop Cave Creek Gabrielle McConnell Mar. 25 Superstition Ridgeline Superstitions Michael Humphrey Apr. 1 Dogie Trail Sedona Chuck Parsons Apr. 1-2 Buenos/Browns Canyon Tucson Dave French Apr. 8 Wolf Creek Waterfalls Prescott Dave French Apr. 15 <<open>>     Apr. 22 Walkin’ Jim Trail Lake Pleasant Mark Jelsma Apr. 23 Rafting Salt River Canyon Tamar Gottfried Apr. 29 <<open>>     May 6 Highline-Drew Payson Michael Humphrey May 13 <<open>>     Whistles They were handed out to everyone there who didn’t have one. Guest Speaker Ted Tenny subject: The Terminator     Hiking on the edge of night can be exhilarating, or scary. Ted presented pictures from various aspects of sunrise and sunset hiking. You can take great pictures at dawn, but don’t get caught after dark without a flashlight!     Why not make the most of that late afternoon sun by going on a sunset photo shoot? Unforgettable colors await you almost every day. Next Meeting Tuesday, May 16, 2017, 7:00 PM at Old Chicago. Executive Committee, March 14, 2017 attendees: Michael Humphrey, Monika Hahues, Ted Tenny Guest Speakers for 2017 We need speakers for May 16, July 18, September 19, November 21. AI [Michael] → Follow up with the ASU Geology Department. AI [Ted] → Follow up with the club member he invited. AI [Jim] → Follow up with the Tonto National Forest. •  If all else fails, Michael will be on standby. Keeping track of club packs + Where to send stuff after leading a hike Ted presented a version of the signup sheet with blanks at the top for filling in all the information needed for hike statistics, and who ended up with the club pack. The completed sheet could then be sent to the Statistician. AI [Ted] → Set up an Excel version of the signup sheet, so that hikers’ names and phone numbers could be easily copied from another Excel document. Developing and training hike leaders We have one new leader in 2017, soon to be two and possibly more. Training will be one-on-one. Whistles They are ready to hand out. Preference for paid members on camping trips The leader can choose to give preference to paid members. Only the Treasurer has an up-to-date list of paid members. January 2017 Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club Meeting Minutes January 17, 2017, 7:00 PM Old Chicago, 1656 S. Alma School, Mesa Reports President [Michael Humphrey] The club had a good year in 2016. For now, don’t miss the Arizona Trailblazers Awards and Hike at North Mountain Park this Saturday, January 21. Treasurer [Monika Hahues] As of January 17, the club has 136 paid members and a bank balance of $5401.18. Webmaster [Ted Tenny] My thanks to everyone who has written a Trip Report! They arrive in spurts. Sometimes there’s a draught of several weeks, then I’ll get four reports in three days. Statistician [Jim Buyens] Final statistics for 2016 will be presented at the Arizona Trailblazers Awards this Saturday, January 21. Previous Hikes    Nov. 19 Crucifix Canyon Superstitions Michael Humphrey Nov. 25 First water - Canyon Lake Superstitions Tamar Gottfried Nov. 27 Chalk Canyon Spur Cross Ranch Jim Buyens Dec. 3 Bluff Spring Loop Superstitions Dave French Dec. 10 Ballantine Trail Mazatzals Monika Hahues Dec. 17 Blue Ridge-Orohai Loop Goldfields Lance Ware Dec. 17 Cottonwood / Cane Mazatzals Bill Zimmermann Dec. 31 Skyline Regional Park Buckeye Quy Nguyen Jan. 7 Quartz Peak Sierra Estrella Quy Nguyen Jan. 7 Holbert-Lomitas Loop South Mountain Eileen Root Jan. 14 Hidden Valley South Mountain Dave French Jan. 16 Bell Pass Scottsdale Monika Hahues Upcoming Hikes    Jan. 21 AZHC Awards Potluck North Mtn. Park Michael Humphrey Jan. 28 Picketpost Perimeter Superior Eileen Root Feb. 4 Pipeline Canyon Lake Pleasant Gabrielle McConnell Feb. 4 Sunrise-Western Loop Scottsdale Quy Nguyen Feb. 4 Alta-Bajada Loop South Mountain Dave French Feb. 11 Dome Mountain Goldfields Chip Wells Feb. 11 Wasson Peak Tucson Tamar Gottfried Feb. 18 Wishbone Junction Loop Goldfields Ted Tenny Feb. 25 GMHSM State Park Yarnell Chuck Parsons Mar. 3-7 Joshua Tree Car Camping California John Richa Mar. 11 Hog Wild! Sedona Mark Purcell Mar. 18 Superstition Ridgeline Superstitions Michael Humphrey Mar. 18 Upper Ruins Tonto Nat. Mon. Quy Nguyen Guest Speaker: Robyn Moul subject: Wildlife Conservation     It all began with Don Coyote, a rescue animal who eventually came under the care of Linda Searles. Linda went on to found the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release is their goal. Some 70% of the wild animals rescued can be ultimately released. Others can’t, because they are blind, orphaned, or maimed. The Center receives no federal or state funding: they depend entirely on donations. Next Meeting Tuesday, March 21, 2017, 7:00 PM, Old Chicago. Executive Committee, January 10, 2017 attendees: Michael Humphrey, Bill Zimmermann, Monika Hahues, Jim Buyens, Ted Tenny Including appointed officers on the Executive Committee Jim Buyens, Statistician, was chosen. Awards Potluck & Hike, January 21 Award categories include miles hiked with the club, hikes led, trips driven, and a lifetime achievement award. AI [Monika] → Buy gift cards to be handed out. Speakers for March 21, May 16, July 18, September 19, November 21 We have a speaker for January, and possibly March. AI [Monika] → Provide a name, subject, and description for the talk on March 21. Donation to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center? All of our guest speakers are volunteers. But it would be all right for the club to make a donation to a non-profit organization consistent with our purpose. Whistles (or something) with the club logo. Monika passed around samples of promotional whistles. AI [Ted] → Send Monika the information to be printed on them. AI [Monika] → Order 500 of the chosen whistles. Hike Leader Training and New Leaders Hike Leader Training will be in 2018. Jim read a list of potential leaders AI [all] → Encourage the potential leaders to become hike leaders. Limiting the Numbers on Day Hikes Bill often does this. Ted never bothers, because his hikes don’t attract a crowd. AI [Ted] → Make suitable changes to the guidelines, based on the inputs from Michael, Jim, and Ted. Club History Minutes Archive Constitution & Bylaws AZHC Home Page  top of page updated September 19, 2017 Ted Tenny, Secretary